The event would not have been possible, of course, without the support of the event partner, AAH Pharmaceuticals, and the other associated partners, and Carol took the time to thank them all: Positive Solutions, Willach UK, Valneva in Partnership, EMIS Health, Community Pharmacy Scotland, Numark, Cegedim RX, Teva UK Limited, Phoenix Hospital Solutions, Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Eclipse Generics, National Pharmacy Association, Bestway Medhub & Wardles, and Lexon.
Carol was then joined on the stage by David McNicol, Head of Sales – Multiples, at event partner, AAH Pharmaceuticals.
David referred to the difficulties that pharmacy is currently facing – the possibility of a no-deal Brexit, increased regulatory pressures and the problems caused by drug shortages – but then talked about the many positives in Scottish pharmacy – many of which are, he said, were the result of great support from both the government and Community Pharmacy Scotland.
‘We must,’ David concluded, ‘celebrate all the good that is currently being done. If your glass is half empty, then fill it up. If it’s running over, then you need to calm down a bit,’ he laughed.
Following David’s speech, everyone present at EICC got the opportunity to hear the reasons why, as Carol had said earlier, Scottish pharmacy is held up as a model for community pharmacy around the world, as the 2019 Scottish Pharmacist Awards were presented for a range of initiatives and projects that had been carried out over the last year.
Davidsons Chemists’ Ballater branch picked up the prestigious Community Pharmacy Team of the Year accolade
for its attention to detail in providing excellent pharmaceutical care, while Bernadette Brown and her team from Cadham Pharmacy Health Centre in Glenrothes walked away with the Health Promotion Award for their great work in respiratory reviews in this ex-mining town.
It was a night of double delight for Cadham, with pharmacist Maree Ferguson picking up the prestigious Pharmacist of the Year Award - no mean feat for such a young pharmacist - but one, who is described by contractor Bernadette Brown, as a ‘shining light for the future of pharmacy’.
Innovation and collaboration ruled supreme throughout the evening. Alexandra McMillan, Community Pharmacy Champion at Glasgow City South Health and Social Care Partnership was the winner of the Innovation in Pharmacy Practice Award for her work in finding innovative ways of working to help reduce pharmacy stress, while Lynn King, Glasgow city (South) Health and Social Care Partnership and NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde were the worthy recipients of the Working in Partnership accolade after forming a partnership to allow patients attending hospital with lung cancer to be referred to a GP practice-based prescribing support pharmacist.
Lynne Merchant from the Western General Hospital Pharmacy Department in NHS Lothian, meanwhile, picked up the Independent Prescriber of the Year Award for the delivery of her first-class prescribing service to the Gastrointestinal (GI) Day Unit, while the renal pharmacy team from University Hospital Crosshouse in Kilmarnock took the Hospital Pharmacy Team of the Year accolade.
When it comes to Pharmacy Business Development, Michelle Strachan and the team from Rowlands Pharmacy in Mintlaw walked away with the award for their innovative travel vaccination clinic.
It wasn’t just pharmacists, who were worthy winners on the night, however, with Cat Seller from Well Pharmacy in Kilsyth winning the Pharmacy Team Member of the Year Award for her exceptional customer care.
The awards ended with the presentation of the Outstanding Contribution to Pharmacy Practice accolade and Professor Harry McQuillan had the audience in hysterics when he informed them that he and Bernard Stottelaar would be presenting this year in the style of Ant and Dec, simply, he said, so that he could say, ‘James Semple, it’s not you!’
This year’s Outstanding Contribution went to a pharmacist, who is both liked and respected throughout the industry. This year marks the 40th anniversary of George Romanes joining the pharmacist register and now this popular Borders pharmacist has a second reason to celebrate!
George picked up the award after impressing the independent panel with his ‘ability to look ahead’, his desire to ‘push the boundaries of practice’ and the fact that he has been
‘an early adopter of innovation – both in terms of service development and technology’.
Following his standing ovation, George thanked everyone involved, before quipping ‘do I have to retire now?’ Unsurprisingly, this unassuming and congenial contractor thanked both his wife Marian, who, he said, should be the one getting the award, and his 75 staff, who work across his seven pharmacies.
‘After 40 years,’ he said, ‘I still get up in the morning looking forward to speaking to my patients. It is because of our great pharmacists that Scottish community pharmacy is the global success that it is today, and I am proud to be part of it.’
With the formalities over, it was time for everyone to network and socialise. Despite the challenges that the profession is currently facing, it was undoubtedly a great night for Scottish community pharmacy!
This year, the charity raffle, which was supported by National Pharmacy Association, was held for Sense Scotland. An amazing £3100 was raised on the evening for this great charity, which does so much for children, young people and adults, who have communication support needs.
SCOTTISH
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